A Classic Story with Cutting Edge Execution -- SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS Moview Review

POTATO ON THE GO REVIEW (Movie):

For movie makers, transforming a literary classic into a movie masterpiece is always a challenge.  If one follows the story page per page, he may hear reactions that it's no different from the book.  'But if he changes it dramatically, he will surely hear nasty remarks from the book fans.  For me, once a book is made into a film, the director and screen writer are given the freedom to make their cinematic interpretations of the literary piece.  And from the recent movie I saw, the SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS, during its recent Philippine premiere by Warner Bros. in Glorietta 4, I could say that the film makers are able to give an edgy execution out of a literary classic and well loved characters. 

Directed by Guy Ritchie and written by Michele Mulrony and Kieren Mulroney SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS is an action mystery movie based on the character of the same name created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  A sequel to the 2009 film SHERLOCK HOLMES, the movie brings back Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law to reprise their roles as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson, and several other actors as characters they played in the 2009 film.   The film is inspired by Conan Doyle's work The Final Problem, but it is an independent story rather than a strict adaptation and this where cinematic freedom is maximized.

Synopsis:

Sherlock Holmes has always been the smartest man in the room…until now. There is a new criminal mastermind at large—Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris)—and not only is he Holmes’ intellectual equal, but his capacity for evil, coupled with a complete lack of conscience, may give him an advantage over the renowned detective. Around the globe, headlines break the news: a scandal takes down an Indian cotton tycoon; a Chinese opium trader dies of an apparent overdose; bombings in Strasbourg and Vienna; the death of an American steel magnate… No one sees the connective thread between these seemingly random events—no one, that is, except the great Sherlock Holmes, who has discerned a deliberate web of death and destruction. At its center sits a singularly sinister spider: Moriarty. Holmes’ investigation into Moriarty’s plot becomes more dangerous as it leads him and Watson out of London to France, Germany and finally Switzerland. But the cunning Moriarty is always one step ahead, and moving perilously close to completing his ominous plan. If he succeeds, it will not only bring him immense wealth and power but alter the course of history.

The POTG Review: 
I fell in love with the movie.  SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS can be proud of its polished script and cutting edge direction.  The characters, consistent with the first installment of the film, are well built and utilized, the unlocking of mystery is something that hook the audience form start to finish, and the way the story is told is something that will fascinate other film makers.  I'm so much impressed with the parallel scenes.  This is well exploited when Holmes narrates his theories and discoveries as well as during his final conversation with Moriarty.  As they symbolically use the chess game at the terrace to confront each other, another scene is happening inside the castle, which is the pursuit of the killer.  I'm also amused on how they solve clues and puzzles.  Before CSI, before we fall in love with forensics technology and scientific investigations, there is already Sherlock Holmes!  :)

I was also entertained with the movie's brand of humor.  It's fascinating that while I am hooked at solving the puzzle, I am put into laughter in between scenes!  I was also left in awe at the forest scene where they escaped Moriarty's artillery.   This one is so stylized yet I felt the suspense and got excited with the action.  Two thumbs up especially in this part!

Editing is fast paced which make centuries old story modern and kick-ass!  The way scenes are weaved in, like how a bullet hits a target, or someone has been killed, is something that kept movie goers' excitement at the top.  Cinematography is very stylized, it told an old story in images that are not dull or boring.  It's classy, it's edgy, it's jazzed up!

Sound engineering and musical score are at its best.  It complements the hype of story telling and are able to keep the momentum of every scene.  The sound is so real... in fact, even heart pounding!  Music is equally upbeat and entertaining.

And of course, who can not ignore the superb production design of SHERLOCK HOLMES, A GAME OF SHADOWS?  From make-up to wardrobe, from set design to special effects, everything in the movie is well crafted and maximized. 

Lastly, SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS is another acting ensemble.  Robert Downey Jr. is at his best and Jude Law was not left behind, thanks to his unexpected humorous scenes.  Downey's wit fit SHERLIE's eccentric but brilliant analytical mind.  Jared Harry was able to portray Moriarty's hidden (but felt) evil character and Noomi Rapace was able to keep her mysterious character.

My only comment is on the conclusion of the film.  I don't want to spoil the story but just to give you a hint, I think another scene (even after the CBB) is needed to show how someone escaped death from a mountain high water fall.  I think an oxygen tool is not enough.  What can kill someone in that scene is the impact, not the lack of oxygen.  Perhaps the production designer or the special effects team could have picked or shown a smaller mountain for a setting.  Then the conclusion will be more believable.

What else can I say but SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS is a good choice to kick off this great movie year in the Philippines!  It's a jump start not just in the brand of entertainment that the audience longs for but the kind of production values that other should emulate.  Well, it's a simple story, in fact told many times (unscrupulous individuals trying to start a world war and benefit from it), but the way it's crafted and told, is the thing that differentiated it from the rest. 

From a scale of 1 to 10 claps, I'm giving SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS an astounding 8!  From Warner Bros., Village Roadshow and Silver Pictures, SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS opens in Philippine theaters on January 8!